Kudos to Ryan Hemphill and Best Buy

As a society, we have an obligation to secure a brighter future for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. By taking action now, we can ensure that adults with autism break free of the all-too-common status of “dependency” and become engaged, involved and ideally, tax-paying, members of their communities. It is time to develop and drive policies that provide for life-long living and learning with autism. Last year, in response to this urgent need, Autism Speaks assisted in the formation of Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism (AFAA), a national consortium seeking to create meaningful futures for adults with autism that include homes, jobs, recreation, friends and supportive communities.

We love to share success stories of adults who have autism and we also look to recognize socially responsible companies who help them on their path to independence. The video below highlights Ryan, an adult with Asperger Syndrome and his positive experience working at Best Buy.

We also would like to recognize Best Buy for its efforts in hiring adults with autism and developing their careers. Best Buy has a new program called FACE – Facing Autism in a Caring Environment. FACE is a Focused Involvement Network (FIN) at Best Buy. The mission of FACE is to build a community of Best Buy employees that will promote awareness of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and support their families through networking, the sharing of resources and providing encouragement. The campaign was launched this month at Best Buy, and Ryan was a big part of the launch at the Best Buy headquarters in Minneapolis.

Join us in congratulating Ryan on his success (and the new car he bought with his earnings!) and in thanking Best Buy for its efforts to employ adults with autism to promote their independence.

I think this is great, I know a few families that have children with challenges and I would like to share your website with others on mine. Please contact me and we will put something together. I can place you on my kids corner page. Thanks Bren